Loved ones have legal options after fatal motorcycle crashes

Posted on behalf of the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod and Baril, PLLC on July 28th, 2015

Your life can be forever changed in the blink of an eye if your loved one is involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. The minutes, hours and days after the crash can seem endless while you wait to hear how bad the accident actually was and whether your loved one will survive.

In too many cases, the worst happens and a victim dies from the injuries suffered in the car accident. Those who are left behind can struggle considerably to cope with the loss, which can be even more difficult when you don’t have all the information about the accident. In order to get the answers you deserve, it may be wise to consider filing a wrongful death claim.

Wrongful death claims arise when someone has been killed in an accident caused by negligence or recklessness. Because many car accidents do stem from some type of unsafe or careless action, it is not uncommon for the loved ones of car accident victims to file this type of lawsuit.

Essentially, a wrongful death claim can be filed against any party that is believed to have caused or contributed to a fatal accident. This could include a driver who sped through a stoplight, the manufacturer of a defective part on a victim’s vehicle, a trucking company who hired an untrained driver involved in the crash or any other party that failed to take appropriate actions to keep others safe.

While there is no amount of money that can replace a loved one or undo a fatal car accident, wrongful death lawsuits and the compensation that may be ordered can provide loved ones with some critical resources that can ease some of the pain associated with the death.

Financial awards can cover damages like lost wages as well as medical and funeral expenses and compensate loved ones for the emotional pain and suffering stemming from the loss. Wrongful death lawsuits can also help people get the answers they need to find some closure.

Taking legal action can be difficult, especially when you are grieving, but with the guidance and skills of an attorney, you can get the help you need to move forward.